ASYMPTOTIC EFFICIENCY OF THE BLEST‐TYPE TESTS FOR INDEPENDENCE

Blest (2000, Aust. N. Z. J. Stat. 42 , 101–111) proposed a new measure of rank correlation that is sensitive to discrepancies in the small ranks. This paper investigates the efficiency properties of non‐parametric tests for independence based on Blest's correlation coefficient and its modifications. Pitman efficiency comparisons are made with analogous tests existing in the literature. Conditions for Pitman optimality of the Blest‐type tests are established.     

Efficient Estimation of Parameters of the Negative Binomial Distribution

In this article we investigate a class of moment-based estimators, called power method estimators, which can be almost as efficient as maximum likelihood estimators and achieve a lower asymptotic variance than the standard zero term method and method of moments estimators. We investigate different methods of implementing the power method in practice and examine the robustness and efficiency of the power method estimators.     

A model with long-term survivors: negative binomial Birnbaum-Saunders

Abstract

We propose a cure rate survival model by assuming that the number of competing causes of the event of interest follows the negative binomial distribution and the time to the event of interest has the Birnbaum-Saunders distribution. Further, the new model includes as special cases some well-known cure rate models published recently. We consider a frequentist analysis for parameter estimation of the negative binomial Birnbaum-Saunders model with cure rate. Then, we derive the appropriate matrices for assessing local influence on the parameter estimates under different perturbation schemes. We illustrate the usefulness of the proposed model in the analysis of a real data set from the medical area.     

Modelling two way contingency tables with recursive logits and odds ratios

In this work a new type of logits and odds ratios, which includes as special cases the continuation and the reverse-continuation logits and odds ratios, are defined. We prove that these logits and odds ratios define a parameterization of the joint probabilities of a two way contingency table. The problem of testing equality and inequality constraints on these logits and odds ratios is examined with particular regard to two new hypotheses of monotone dependence. Work partially supported by a MIUR2004 grant. Preliminary findings have been presented at SIS (Società Italiana di Statistica) Annual Meeting, Torino, 2006.     

On LSE in regression model for long-range dependent random fields on spheres

We study the asymptotic behaviour of least squares estimators (LSE) in regression models for long-range dependent random fields observed on spheres. The LSE can be given as a weighted functional of long-range dependent random fields. It is known that in this scenario the limits can be non-Gaussian. We derive the limit distribution and the corresponding rate of convergence for the estimators. The results were obtained under rather general assumptions on the random fields. Simulation studies were conducted to support theoretical findings.     

A Copula‐Based Non‐parametric Measure of Regression Dependence

Abstract. This article presents a framework for comparing bivariate distributions according to their degree of regression dependence. We introduce the general concept of a regression dependence order (RDO). In addition, we define a new non‐parametric measure of regression dependence and study its properties. Besides being monotone in the new RDOs, the measure takes on its extreme values precisely at independence and almost sure functional dependence, respectively. A consistent non‐parametric estimator of the new measure is constructed and its asymptotic properties are investigated. Finally, the finite sample properties of the estimate are studied by means of a small simulation study.     

A representation for quadrivariate normal positive orthant probabilities

For four variables x₁,x₂, x₃ and x₄, which have a quadrivariate normal distribution with means equal to zero, the positive ortrhant probability is the probability that all of the x.'s are simultaneously positive. A representation for the quadrivariate normal positive orthant probability is obtained and it is a function of no more than three integrals over a single variable. Extensive testing has shown this representation to be very efficient on a computational basis.     

The Extremal Dependence Measure and Asymptotic Independence

Abstract

Extremal dependence analysis assesses the tendency of large values of components of a random vector to occur simultaneously. This kind of dependence information can be qualitatively different than what is given by correlation which averages over the total body of the joint distribution. Also, correlation may be completely inappropriate for heavy tailed data. We study the extremal dependence measure (EDM), a measure of the tendency of large values of components of a random vector to occur simultaneously and show consistency of an estimator of the EDM. We also show asymptotic normality of an idealized estimator in a restricted case of multivariate regular variation where scaling functions do not have to be estimated.     

Measures of dependence for the multivariate t distribution with applications to the stock market

Two measures of dependence for multivariate t and Cauchy random variables are developed based on Kullback–Leibler number. The mutual information number T(X) is obtained in a closed expression form, as well as its asymptotic distribution. A dependence coefficient ρ₁, is defined (based on the Kullback–Leibler number) with the properties of ρ₁=0 indicating independence and ρ₁=1indicating degeneracy. Two real life examples from the stock market are used to analyze the level of dependence and correlation among stocks.     

A generalized negative binomial and applications

A generalized negative binomial distribution is derived from the Markov Bernoulli sequence of successes and failures. We study the properties and applications of this distribution. The properties are illustrated by two examples of discrete time queueing systems. The distribution is then fitted to two data sets, the eruption record of Mt. Sangay, and a record of computer disk failure accesses. In the first case there is a strong serial dependence in the data and the generalized negative binomial provides a good fit, while in the second case, although there is a significant serial dependence, it is insufficient to justify the additional parameter of the distribution. We conclude by demonstrating the usefulness of the distribution in the field of statistical quality control.